Balochistan Grand Alliance Stands Firm: Announces Legal Action, Hunger Strikes, and Islamabad March Over Budget and Employee Rights

Quetta:The Balochistan Grand Alliance (BGA) has reaffirmed its resolve to continue protests against the provincial government’s alleged betrayal of public sector employees. In a marathon core committee session held Thursday, several key decisions were made, including continuation of the lockdown, legal challenge to the newly passed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), and an eventual protest march to Islamabad.

In a press release, the BGA announced that while the previously declared province-wide wheel-jam strike for June 28 has been postponed due to public concerns, symbolic hunger strikes will begin from today (Friday) in Quetta and Mach jails, where detained employees are being held. Additionally, protest demonstrations will be held outside press clubs across all districts on June 28.

The committee declared its intent to challenge the 2024–25 provincial budget’s PSDP in court, claiming that it is riddled with irregularities and includes schemes based on political favoritism rather than public interest. Legal consultations with lawyers have already begun, the alliance confirmed.

The BGA criticized the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership in Balochistan, alleging it is suppressing peaceful protests and dissent. “We will no longer protest outside the Balochistan Assembly, but instead outside Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad so President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari can see what their government is doing to us,” the statement said.

The alliance expressed outrage over the June 24 crackdown on a peaceful employees’ rally, which involved baton charges and tear gas. It condemned what it described as the government’s “dictatorial behavior,” including issuing threatening circulars, restricting access to detained leaders, and denying protest permissions.

The committee also revealed that during the budget session on June 17, the alliance had postponed its planned sit-in based on government assurances delivered during a press conference. However, the final budget failed to include promised provisions for employees, reigniting the protest movement.

Thursday saw widespread closures across Balochistan under the ongoing lockdown, with all offices, schools, colleges, and universities shut down—except emergency hospital services. The Balochistan Bar Council expressed solidarity with the BGA by announcing a complete boycott of court proceedings across the province in response to police violence against protesting employees.

The BGA thanked lawyers, political parties, and civil society organizations for their support, especially welcoming the solidarity expressed by the Awami National Party and statements by Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leaders. It urged all opposition parties to unite with public servants in this struggle.

The alliance also announced plans to meet with trade bodies to prepare for a province-wide shutter-down strike. Employees were urged not to succumb to pressure from government officials or fear tactics, and instead come out of their comfort zones to strengthen the movement.

In a final rallying call, the statement declared: “If government employees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab can win their rights through unity, so can we. Let us ensure discipline, unity, and resolve in our ranks.”